The APPG for Children was delighted to host a discussion in Parliament on the implementation of the Government’s new Child Poverty Strategy.
Event speakers pictured with APPGC chair, Jess Asato
Led by by Jess Asato MP, chair of the APPG for Children, the event brought together parliamentarians, leading children’s organisations, and local and regional authorities for a focused, forward‑looking conversation about what must be done next to tackle child poverty. The APPG was pleased to be joined by colleagues from the Child Poverty Unit, helping ensure that these insights reached those leading the strategy’s implementation.
From the outset, there was a strong sense of shared purpose. With 4.5 million children in poverty in the UK today, the need for urgent, joined‑up action was front and centre. If implemented well, this strategy creates a real opportunity to shift the dial for children and families. Attendees welcomed the lifting of the two‑child limit, and the introduction of deep poverty as a measure as part of the strategy; concrete steps that will make a difference to families across the country.
Children’s experts shared national and local insights
Focus then turned to the opportunities and challenges in the strategy, with key insights from a range of experts: the End Child Poverty Coalition, Save the Children UK, Barnardo’s, the North East Combined Authority, and the National Children’s Bureau with Camden’s Public Health Team. Each brought a different perspective: national analysis, frontline experience, regional insights, and early years and public health expertise.
Across the discussion, speakers highlighted the need for:
- Child Poverty Targets to ensure ambition and accountability for change.
- Joined‑up delivery across government departments backed by a clear approach to monitoring and evaluation, including regular reporting.
- Proper support and resourcing for local areas so local authorities and partners can deliver on the ground rather than carry unfunded expectations.
- Implementation that reaches children most at risk of being left behind, including where poverty is compounded by housing insecurity or migrant families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
- Early years and universal services designed with a poverty lens with targeted outreach and trusted relationships so families in poverty are able to access support for their young children.
Engaged parliamentarians and a constructive discussion
The discussion that followed saw MPs and peers explore what Parliament can do now to ensure progress is tracked, gaps are surfaced quickly, and local areas are supported to deliver for all children and families.
The APPG for Children will continue convening voices from across Parliament and the children’s sector as implementation unfolds. There is real momentum to support delivery, and to keep the focus on ensuring strategy implementation results in a sustained reduction in child poverty across the UK.